Eulas and Lake Stafford enjoy fragrant, colorful plumerias in their large Pasadena garden.

Eulas and Lake Stafford enjoy fragrant, colorful plumerias in their large Pasadena garden.

Photo: Thomas B. Shea

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'Jeannie Moragne' is a favorite plumeria in the Staffords' garden.

'Jeannie Moragne' is a favorite plumeria in the Staffords' garden.

Photo: Thomas B. Shea

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'Charlotte Ebert' is one of about 300 plumerias that color the Staffords' summer garden.

'Charlotte Ebert' is one of about 300 plumerias that color the Staffords' summer garden.

Photo: Thomas B. Shea

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Colorful plumerias are tropical treasure

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Retirees Eulas and Lake Stafford took an unusual path when downsizing. Rather than move to a smaller home on less land, the Pasadena couple shrank their plumeria collection from 800 to a mere 300 plants. But they made no cuts in their enthusiasm for the fragrant flowering tropical.

The Staffords begin and end warm days in their 2½-acre garden, unless they're checking out plumerias in other parts of the world. They have traveled to Mexico and the Mediterranean, and an upcoming itinerary includes 48 days in New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and other islands of Polynesia.

"If plumerias grow there, we've pretty much been there," Eulas jokes. The largest specimen the couple has seen was a 40-feet-tall and more-than-80-feet-wide plumeria in Australia.

The couple are longtime members of the Plumeria Society of America, a 350-member worldwide organization with about 150 members in Houston, where the organization was founded. They're also known for sharing their knowledge on the speaking circuit.

Plumerias don't tolerate cold weather, so the couple shuffle their plants into a greenhouse for winter. In at Thanksgiving, out by Easter, is the rule of thumb, Lake says.

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But for months, the drought-tolerant beauties can provide color and fragrance in large, small and balcony gardens. The grayish, rubbery trunk and stems form a candelabralike silhouette, and branches are capped with whorls of large, veined, often elliptical leaves and clusters of pinwheel or star-shaped flowers. Each bloom is a twist of five waxy petals in white and shades of pink, red, yellow and less-common lavender or purple. Some are multicolored. Eulas developed the cultivar 'Lake's Passion,' a burgundy bloom that turns a rich purple.

Fragrance varies from gardenialike sweetness to a pleasant peach or citrus scent, depending on the cultivar. The fresh, lemony scent of 'Singapore White' is most often used in soaps and sprays, Eulas says.

More Information

Upcoming

The Plumeria Society of America will sponsor two upcoming shows and sales, featuring registered plumeria cultivars and rare plants. Experts will be available to answer questions; theplumeriasociety.org.

9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. June 9: at the Bay Area Community Center, 5002 NASA Parkway

The plumeria is a heat- and drought-tolerant tropical for the summer garden.

Named for French botanist Charles Plumier, the plumeria's other common names include temple tree, pagoda tree, cemetery tree, dead man's fingers and flora de Mayo or May flower. In Hawaii, it's called frangipani, from frangipanier, the French word for coagulated milk, in reference to the plant's milky, latexlike sap.

The plumeria is sometimes considered a symbol of immortality because of its cycle of dormancy and revival. The tree is found in temple gardens and cemeteries in Mexico, Central America, the Western Caribbean, India and Hawaii, where the fragrant blooms are worn in leis.

A: The Yucatán area of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean islands.

Q: How many cultivars are there?

A: There are 1,800 known cultivars and 420 registered cultivars.

Q: How large does a plumeria grow?

A: Dwarfs reach about 5 feet and are typically broad. Otherwise, plants in a Texas garden range between 10 and 20 feet.

Q: How much sun and water does a plumeria need?

A: Grow in as much sun as possible with at least four hours of daily full sun. Water well, then let the soil dry before watering again. Plumerias would rather be dry than too wet.

Q: What type of soil is best?

A: A loose, well-draining soil with a lot of compost.

Q: How do I fertilize?

A: Apply a granular or liquid fertilizer with a high middle number (phosphorus) to start the growing season. Then use a balanced formula (such as a 13-13-13 or 20-20-20) every four to five weeks. You can supplement with a light foliar feeding every three weeks or so to encourage blooming.

Q: When will my plumeria bloom?

A: A plant grown from a cutting should bloom during the second year. One grown from seed will need four or five years to reach flowering/bearing age. Otherwise, foliar feed to encourage flowering.

Q: What is the minimum temperature for plumerias?

A: A frost at 35 degrees can seriously damage tips, and one hour at 32 degrees or below can kill a plant.

Q: How can I protect my plumerias during winter?

A: The best way is to bring them into a protected area with heat. Never put the roots on cold concrete; place cardboard or paper down first. Plumerias go completely dormant and can survive without nutrients and water for months. If you must leave them outside, cover them with freeze cloth and add a heat source. Large C9 Christmas lights wrapped around the tree work well. Or just pull it out of the soil and store on a shelf. The plant doesn't have a big root ball.

Q: How do I prune my plumeria?

A: Prune your tree to any shape that you like. You may want to keep the height so you can best see the blooms.

Q: Can I root a large pruned section of my plumeria?

A: Yes. Stake until roots are established.

Q: When should I remove a seed pod and sow the seed?

A: Seed pods take about nine months to ripen. Leave them on the tree until they split open (you can put an old hose over the pod to keep the seeds from flying away). Seeds can be planted up to a year later. Seedling blooms will differ from the parent tree and occasionally will produce a spectacular flower. Cuttings guarantee blooms identical to the mother plant.

Q: What pests might I expect?

A: Plumerias are relatively disease-free, but rust may occur in the fall. This is usually not harmful since plants drop their leaves at this time. Spider mites and scale may become a problem if plants are kept too dry or in too much shade. The Plumeria Society recommends treating with a liquid dishwashing soap at a rate of 1 to 2 tablespoons per gallon of water. If the stem wilts, chances are you're overwatering or the roots have another problem. Pull the plant out of the pot or ground. Let the stalk and roots dry completely. Then replant in fresh soil.